2/23/23
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Alma junior girls coach Angela Rushing knew her team might be in trouble late in Wednesday’s game with Harrison when the Lady Goblins’ Brynne Bonds banked a 3-pointer that hit the side of the backboard and fell through the net.
Bonds hit two fourth-quarter 3-pointers, in fact, to help lead Harrison to a 30-26 win over the Lady Airedales in the semifinals of the Northwest Arkansas-River Valley Conference Tournament at Farmington Arena.
Alma finished the season with an 18-3 record.
The Airedales led only a handful of times, including 2-0 and 3-2 at the start of the game.
But Faith Sartor’s free throw gave Alma a 24-23 lead with 2:53 left to play in the game. The lead, however, would last for all of two seconds.
Sartor’s second attempt bounced in and out, and Harrison’s Jenna Lewis snatched the rebound and was fouled with 2:51 left.
Lewis made both foul shots and the Lady Goblins, thanks to Bonds’ clinching 3-pointer, were on their way.
Lewis finished with 12 points for the Lady Goblins. Elizza Barger had nine and Bonds finished with six.
Anna Swarnes and Faith Sartor led Alma with seven and six points, respectively.
The Lady Airedales trailed 13-8 at the half before tying the game at 17 on Matilyn Dunn’s 3-pointer. But Barger hit a free throw on Harrison’s next possession to put the Lady Goblins back on top.